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February 18, 2026 | 10:54am
[Left] A priest puts an ash in the forehead of a person in Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church - Naguelguel in Lingayen, Pangasinan. [Right] Muslim brothers gather for congregational prayer at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila.
The STAR / Ryan Baldemor; The STAR / Cesar Ramirez
MANILA, Philippines — The fasting season for Roman Catholics and Muslims is set.
This week marks the start of the Lenten season for Roman Catholics and Ramadan for Muslims.
Ramadan. Supposedly starting on Wednesday, February 18, Ramadan is moved to February 19 in the Philippines.
This was due to the crescent moon not being sighted, according to Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’.
The crescent moon marks the beginning of Ramadan, or the month of prayer and fasting.
During this event, Muslims fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.
However, an exception is made for the faithful who are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating.
Ash Wednesday begins. For Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday starts on Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday commences the Lenten season in the Church’s liturgical calendar. The event also requires the faithful to observe fasting, along with every Friday of Lent and Good Friday.
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During Ash Wednesday, ashes from burned palm leaves used during Palm Sunday are marked on the foreheads of the faithful.
Ash Wednesday is usually observed by Roman Catholics. However, some other branches of Christianity also practice it.
In a pastoral letter on February 16, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines President, Lipa Bishop Gilbert Garcera, urged the faithful to fast not only from food, but also from digital media.
“Excessive media use often leads to distraction, fatigue, loss of focus, weakened relationships, and diminished spiritual awareness,” Garcera said in a pastoral letter.
“Digital media fasting helps restore balance and reminds us that technology must serve human life—not dominate it,” he added.
